Blasting cartridge



F. H. ARMSTRONG BLASTING CARTRIDGE Filed Dec. 7, 1934 June 15`, '1937.

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40 Fig. 1 is a .50 blasting medium.

lPatented `June 1K5, 1937 UNITED kSTATES PATENT OFFICE signor, by mesne assignments,

to Safety Mining Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Y Application December '1, 1934, YSerial No. '156,513

11 Claims.

5` An object of this invention is to provide an improved blasting cartridge of the pre-charged type. Another object is to provide an improved blasting cartridge having improved release means for the blasting charge. A further object is to provide an improved blasting cartridge of the pre-charged type wherein the same is'pre-charged with high pressure gas of proper volume and at a proper pressure for the particular work at hand and then to suddenly liberate the charge by means controllable at a remote point. Yet another object is to provide an improved pre-charged type blasting cartridge which may be transported from place to place with safety without possible dan- ,ger oi a premature discharge and which, when positioned in blasting relation with the work, may be discharged at will by means controllable at a remote point. A still further object is to provide an improved blasting cartridge of the precharged type having improved heater release 5 means for developing a releasing pressure by means of heat generated' in the cartridge subsequentto the positioning of the latter in blasting relation with respect to the work. Another object is to provide an improved heater release 0 means wherein the charge releasing pressure is developed by means of an explosive controllable at a` remote point by electrical igniter means. These and other objects and advantages of the A invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing there are shown for purposes of illustration two forms which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing,-

view in longitudinal section illustrating one form of the improved blasting cartridge.

Fig. modied form of discharge release means.

In both embodiments of the invention the improved discharge release means is shown associated with a blasting cartridge of the precharged type designed for use with a high pressure gas, such as highly compressed air, as a, The particular blasting cartridge with which the improved discharge releasemeans is associated is of the same general type as that disclosed in my copending applica- 'tion, Serial No. 718,175, illed March 30, 1934 (see w Fig. 12) and is of the type designed to be charged 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a,

at some central charging point and then transported in a pre-charged condition to the point of use at which, after being placed in proper relation with respect to the work, a suitable discharge release device is attached to the cartridge for eiecting discharge thereof by remote control. The particular cartridge disclosed comprises an elongated cylindrical container I having a chamber 2 for receiving a charge of high pressure gas. Threaded at 3 within the inner end of the container is a discharge cap 4, while threaded at 5 within the outer end of the container is a control cap 6. Formed in the discharge cap 4 is an axial discharge orifice 'I communicating externally through a series of discharge ports 8. Seating on the inner end wall of the discharge orifice 1 is a conical discharge control valve 9 having an axial guide extension Ill which, with a bore II formed in the discharge cap, serves to center and guide the valve 9 with respect to its seat. Reciprocable in the bore of a control chamber I2 in the control cap 5 is a plunger I3 having a valverod I4 arranged axially within the pressure chamber 2 and secured at I5 at its inner end to the control valve 9. Secured against the plunger body by a keeper I6 threaded on the valve rod is a cup leather I1 for permitting leakage of high pressure gas from the inner end of the control chamber past the plunger while preventing back ow of gas. Secured to the container by the control cap 6 and clamped in position between gaskets I8 is the ilange of a stuilng box member I9 carrying packing 20 y tightly engaging the exterior surface of the valve rod I4 to prevent leakage of pressure from the pressure chamber 2 to the control chamber I2. A follower member 2I threaded within the member I9 is provided for tightening the packing 20. The valve rod I4 is axially bored at 22 and this bore communicates through a passage 23 controlled by a spring pressed check valve 24 with the control chamber I2 at the outer side of the plunger I3 and through radial ports 25 with the pressure chamber 2.

The control cap 6 embodies a charging valve 28 for controlling a passage 29 communicating with an axial passage 30, the latter in turn communicating with the control chamber I2. The charging pressure flows past the valve 28 through passages 29 and 30 to the control chamber i2, the pressure acting on the outer pressure area of the plunger I3 to hold the valve 9 firmly against its seat. The charging pressure also flows through passage 23 past the 'ball check valve 24 through the bore 22 in the valve rod and radial ports 25 chamber 2 the charging valve 26 is closed in a suitable manner. 'I'he axial passage 30 may com- 5 municate with a passage 3| in a plug 32 threaded within the control cap, this plug holding in position a metallic washer 33 providing a seat for a spring pressed ball check valve 34 normally cutting ot communication of the axial passage 3|l with the vent passage 3|. By means of the charging valve 28 a charge of high pressure gas may be introduced into the container chamber 2 at some central charging point, and the cartridge may be then transported as a self-contained unit 5 to the point of use.

Associated with the blasting cartridge above described is a pressure release device generally designated 35 for eilecting discharge of the cartridge which has been previously pre-charged, whereby when the blasting cartridge is properly positioned with respect to the work, the device 36 may be so controlled from a remote point as toeilect blasting pressure release. The charge release device 35 shown in Fig. l consists oi' a 5 casing 36 in which is positioned a plunger 3l having a stem 38 projecting inwardly through an opening 39 in a partition 56. 'This casing 36 is threadedly connected at 6| to a threaded projection 42 formed on the control cap 6 of the cartridge, and when the casing is threaded on this projection there is provided a chamber 43 between the partition 40 and the outer surface of the projection 42, and this chamber is vented to atmosphere through radial vent ports 46. Interposed between a shoulder 45 on the plunger 31 and the partition 40 and encircling the plunger body and stem is a coil spring 46 for normally maintaining the plunger in itsoutermost, inactive position, and for automatically returning the plunger to 40 such position after pressure release has taken place. Threaded at 51 within the outer end of the casing 36 is a firing cap 46 with which the plunger 3l in its outermost position engages. Secured within a recess 49 in the cap 46 is a con- 45 tainer 55 for a suitable explosive 5|, the container 50 projecting inwardly within a chamber 52 formed within the plunger body. Secured by a plug 53 threaded within the cap 46 is an electrode 54 connectedthrough a wire 55 to a match 50 head 66 embedded within the explosive 5| in the manner shown. This match head 56 is grounded by a wire 5l to the cap 48. Carried within the cap 48 is an electrical conductor connection 56 through which electrical energy is conducted to the electrode and thence to the wire 55 to the match head 56. The cap 58 is provided with a ground connection 59 and suitable wires lead from the connections 56 and 56 of electrical, energy.

The modiilcation shown in Fig. 2 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1 with the exception that the casing 60 has a bore 6| containing a reciprocable plunger 62 having a stem 63. The bore 6 at the inner side of the plunger 5 62 is vented to atmosphere through vent passages 64, and the explosive container 50 projects within the bore 6|. It will thus be s een that the plunger chamber been eliminated' in Fig. 2. Qtherwise this form 0 of the invention is similar to that above described. In using a cartridge ot the'type illustrated, just prior to the positioning of the cartridge with respect to the work, the charge release device is to a remote source 1 threadedly connected to the projection 42 on the of the prei-gharged cartridge. The

il-"yco'ntrol cap 6 and coil' spring of Fig. 1 have fentire cartridge unit is then placed in blasting position with respect to the work and wires extended from the connections 58 and 59 of the charge release device to a suitable remote point of control. When electrical energy is conducted through the wires to the electrode 54 and thence to the match head 56, the explosive 5| in the container 50 is ignited and the explosion created thereby develops a relatively high pressure at the outer side oi the plunger 31, thereby moving the plunger inwardly against the tension of the spring 46. As this plunger moves inwardly, the plunger stem 38 engages and un seats the ball check valve 34. The unseating of this valve causes the control chamber l2 at the outer side of the plunger I3 to be vented to atmosphere through passage 30, passage 3|, chamber 43 and vent passages 44. The pressure in the control chamber I2 at the inner side of the plunger I3 then acts on the plunger to move the latter outwardly, and, as a result, the valve 9 is unseated to release the blasting charge through discharge orice l and discharge ports 6. The pressure release means shown in Fig. 2 operates to effect discharge of the blasting pressure in a similar manner. These and other uses and advantages of the improved blasting cartridge will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described two forms which the invention may assume in practice it will be understood that these forms of the same are Shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pre-charged blasting cartridge, a container for receiving a pre-charge of highly compressed gas and having a discharge orifice, a differential valve mechanism for controlling said orice, said container embodying a control chamber, the pressure wherein governs the position and movement of said diierential valve mechanism, a connection through which compressed gas may be introduced into and exhausted from said control chamber, a valve governing said connection. and means subject to remote control for actuating said valve by creating with an explosive eect a relatively high, gaseous, valve actuating pressure.

2. In a pre-charged blasting cartridge, a container for receiving a pre-charge of highly compressed gas and having a discharge oriilce, a differential valve mechanism for controlling said orii'lce, said container embodying a control chamber, the pressure wherein governs the position and movement of said differential valve mechanism,

a connection through which compressed gas may be introduced into and exhausted from said con-` trol chamber, a pressure actuated valve governing said connection,

chamber to the atmosphere and including means embodied in the cartridge for creating with an and remote control means for unseating said valve to exhaust said control a reusable `vent valve for venting the control chamber and said governing means including a self-contained pressure actuated device for unseating said vent valve.

4. In a pre-charged blasting cartridge. a conj tainer for receiving a pre-charge of highly compressed gas, discharge means for the charge of highly compressed gas, means embodied in the cartridge and controllable from a, remote point for governing said discharge means, said discharge means including a vent valve and said governing means including a self-contained pressure actuated device outside said container for unseating said vent valve, and means for generating a gaseous pressure for effecting actuation of said valve unseating means.

5. In a blasting cartridge, a container adapted to receive a charge of high pressure' gas and having a release valve, means normally subjected to pressure for maintaining said release valve closed and operative on releaseof such pressure to effect release valve opening and charge release, a valve movable against such pressure to effect release thereof, and means attached to said cartridge for generating a pressure and utilizing the same to open said. last-mentioned valve.

6. In a blasting cartridge, a casing providing a pair of non-interconnected chambers, one for the storage of a charge of high pressure gas and the other for the generation of a substantial pressure, charge operated discharge means for the `high pressure gas chamber, means for effecting operation of said discharge means for releasing the charge of high pressure gas upon the generation of such substantial pressure in the second chamber, and means for effecting pressure generation in said second chamber.

7. In a blasting cartridge, a container adapted to receive a high pressure charge and having a discharge opening, valve means for closing said opening, fluid controlled releasable means for holding said valve means in said opening, a huid controlling spring pressed vent valve for effecting operation of said releasable means, and means operative from a remote point from the cartridge for developing power to actuate said vent valve.

v8. In a blasting cartridge, a container adapted to receive a high pressure charge and having a discharge opening, valve means for closing said opening, fluid controlled releasable means for holding said valve means in said opening, venting means for the fluid controlling said releasable means, and means operative from a remote point from the cartridge for developing power to actuate said venting means, said last-mentioned means including a, plunger, and an explosive charge for actuating said plunger.

9. In a pre-charged blasting cartridge, a container for receiving a pre-charge of highly compressed gas, differential pressure operated discharge means within the container for releasing the blasting charge, means containing an explosive attached to the cartridge in the charged condition of the latter for developing a releasing pressure by the ignition of the explosive charge, and means controllable from a remote point for igniting the said explosive.

10. In a pre-charged blasting cartridge, a container for receiving a pre-charge of highly compressed gas, differential pressure operated discharge means within the container for releasing the blasting charge, means including a valve for producing the differential pressure necessary to operate said discharge means, and explosive means attachable to the cartridge in the charged condition of the latter for developing the actuating pressure for said valve.

11. In a pre-charged blasting cartridge, a container for receiving a pre-charge of highly compressed gas, differential fluid pressure operated discharge means in the container for releasing the blasting charge, and electrically. energized means embodied in the cartridge and controllable from a remote point for governing said discharge means while the container pressure remains con stant, said electrically energized means including devices for creating a differential fluid pressure condition which will operate the discharge means.

FRANK H. ARMSTRONG. 

